1. The burden of the Devar Hashem to Yisroel by Malachi.
2. I have loved you, saith Hashem. Yet ye say, Wherein hast Thou loved us? Was not Esav Ya'akov's brother? saith Hashem; yet I loved Ya'akov,
3. But I hated Esav, and his mountains and his nachalah I laid waste into wasteland for the jackals of the midbar.
4. Whereas Edom saith, We are dashed to pieces, but we will return and rebuild the ruins; thus saith Hashem Tzva'os: They may build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, Gevul Rishah (territory of wickedness), and the people against whom Hashem hath indignation ad olam (for ever).
5. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, Hashem is gadol (great) even beyond the Gevul Yisroel.
6. A ben honoreth his av, and an eved his adon; if then I be an Av, where is Mine honor? And if I be Adonim, where is My reverence? saith Hashem Tzva'os unto you, O kohanim, that despise My Name. But ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?
7. Ye offer lechem mego'al (defiled food) upon Mine mizbe'ach; and ye say, Wherein have we defiled Thee? In that ye say, The shulchan of Hashem is to be despised.
8. And when ye offer the blind animal for sacrifice, is it not rah? And when ye offer the lame and diseased, is it not rah? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or receive thee? saith Hashem Tzva'os.
9. And now, I pray you, beseech G-d that He will be gracious unto us; with such offerings from your hand, will He receive you? saith Hashem Tzva'os.
10. Who is there even among you that would shut the dlatayim of the Beis Hamikdash so that eish would not be kindled on Mine mizbe'ach in vain? There is no chefetz (pleasure) to Me with you, saith Hashem Tzva'os, neither will I accept a minchah at your hand.